Furnace control



June 9, 1942. R. w. JOHNSON ETAL, 2,286,137

FURNACE CONTROL Filed July 10, 1939 5 Sheds-Sheet 1 l 7 "i-Jysu IRE nicks/Is: v

INV NTORS June 9, 1942. R. w. JOHNSON ET AL 2,286,137

FURNACE CONTROL INVENTORO ATTORNEY.

June 9, 1942. R. w. JOHNSON ET AL 2, 37

FURNACE CONTROL Filed July 10, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 804W: 7 FAN Mo rag //O- VOL T'll/VE 65 H A911 64;: Ju /raw 69 v INVENTORS ATTORNEY.

June 9, 1942.

R. w. JOHNSON. ET AL ,2 6, 7

FURNACE CONTROL Filed July 10, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gg molas M BY .MCZMQ ATTORNEY June 1942. R. w. JOHNSON ETAL 2,286,137

FURNACE CONTROL Filed July 10, 1959 5 Sheets-Shee t 5 ATTORNEY Patented June 9, 1942 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE FURNACE CONTROL Roy W. Johnson and Lourdes V. McCarty, Milwaukee, Wia, assignors to Automatic Products Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 10, 1939, Serial No. 283,550

10 Claims.

or spaces to be heated usually also by means of a motor-driven fan or blower.

The present invention proposes to control the feed of the fuel to the burner automatically in such manner as to maintain the compartments or-spaces toibe heated at the selected temperature. In carrying out this purpose the metering valve is biased to open position, and its extreme positions are regulated by high and low fire stops. Usually the high flre stop coacts directly with the valve, and the low fire stop is in cooperative relation to the valve-operating lever so as to limit the throw of the lever in the direction to close the valve. The valve-operating lever is in turn controlled as to its position by means of an electric motor or electrically energized power element, which may take the form of an electromagnet, or one or more thermostatic leaves or bi-metallic elements which have electric heating elements combined therewith, or an expansion fluid motor energized by an electric heating element in heat interchanging relationship with its expansible fluid; the electric motor, irrespective of what form it may take, being controlled in its action by a room thermostat. Of course, auxiliary or safety control devices may also be employed, if desired.

Where an electro-magnet is employed usually there is only a two stage fuel feed-.-that is, the valve is positioned to maintain a pilot flame or low flre when the room thermostat is satisfied and the electro-magnet is deenergized, whereas when the room thermostat is calling for heat and the electro-magnet positioned to provide for a high fire.

In installations where air to support combustion is supplied to the combustion chamber or the pot by means of a motor-driven fan, the present invention proposes to combine the pot fan switch and automatically broken when the valve is in pilot position.

By utilizing two combination bi-metallic elements and electric heating elements which are successively energized under the control of the room thermostat, it is practical to have a three stage fuel or oil feed, that is, a pilot fire or a low flre, an intermediate fire or flame, and a high fire. This is accomplished by having one of the bimetallic elements, acting under the influence of its inherent resiliency, cause the valve operating lever against the low flre stop when the heating elements of both bi-metallic elements are deenergized. As the demand for heat increases,

the bi-metallic elements are successively warped or flexed under the influence of their respective elastic heating elements to partially and then fully open the metering valve.

The invention also proposes to provide a novel and advantageous automatic control for the electric motor of the circulating fan and to interrelate this control in a special and advantageous manner with the fuel feeding mechanism. The control device includes a tiltable mercury switch incorporated in the circulating "fan motor circuit and opened and closed by means of a switch operating lever, the switch lever being in turn automatically shifted by means of a power element of the bellows type, which is connected by a capillary tube to a control bulb inserted in the bonnet of the furnace. The bellows, capillary tube, and bulb are fllled or charged with a-fluid isenergized,thevalveiswhose volume changes with changes in temperature so that on a predetermined rise in temeprature of the air in the bonnet of the furnace the bellows will expand and act on the switch lever to shift the same and cause the mercury switch to tilt and close the circuit' through the circulating fan motor. After the fan. has been in operation for a time, and the temperature in the bonnet of the furnace drops a predetermined amount, the consequent shrinkage in volume in the volatile fluid in the bellows and its associated elements will allow the switch operating lever, under the influence of its biasing spring, to return to such position as to tilt the mercury switch to open position. In order to provide for adjustable range of the temperatures upon which with the electro-magnet which controls the posiv the circulating fan is thrown in and out, the switch lever is supported or fulcrumed upon a fulcrum lever, controlled as to.its position by manually adjustable means.

Where the operation of the circulating fan is efiected by a power element of the bellows type it is desirable to make provision for the autofail-safe switch bythe bellows, so that while theswitch is normally closed it is automatically opened if the bellows fail.

Another important feature of the invention is to have the switch operating lever operatively interrelated with the valve operating lever so that if the temperature in the bonnet of the furnace continues to rise above a predetermined value, the further movement of the switch operating lever will be transmitted to the valve operating lever first to cause it to throttle or meter down the flow of oil, and if this does not correct or retard the progressive rise in temperature satisfactorily, the valve operating lever is forced against the low fire stop and the furnace thrown on pilot flame.

Another object is to provide a control device which has these advantages and capacities, and which is very closely and compactly organized, extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efiicient in operation, and easy and comparatively inexpensive 'to manufacture, install and maintain.

Qther objects and advantages reside in' certain novel features of the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view, partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section, showing a furnace control embodying the present invention, and of the type where the electric motor -for actuating the valve operating lever is in the form of an electro-magnet;

Figure is a view in bottom plan of the structure shown in Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 11 is a view in transverse cross section taken along line ll-ll of Figure 10, with the fan switch and its motor are eliminated or omitted;

Figure 14 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section, showing a modified type of furnace control, one

wherein the electro-magnet for actuating the valve operating lever is replaced by a pair of bimetallic elements and associated electric heating elements; a

Figure is a view in horizontal cross section taken on line |5-l5 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a view in vertical cross section, taken on line 16-46 of Figure 15; and

Figure 17 isa diagram showing the electrical circuitwith which the control device illustrated in Figures 14, 15 and 16 is combined.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1, 3 and 7, it will be seen that the furnace control device embodying the present invention comprises a main casing having amain liquid supply chamber II therein. Liquid.

fuelis supplied to thechamber through an inlet 12 from a reservoir and a constant level is main-1 'tained in the liquid supply chamber by mechanism such as is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,068,138 to Roy W. Johnson, granted January 19, 1937. The liquid supply chamber II is provided with one or more outlets I! leada ing to the, burner, usually a pot type burner (not Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the device shown in Figure 1,-with the cover of the control casing removed to illustrate the terminal board of the device; I v

' Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section, and viewing the oppcxsite side of the device from that shown in Figure 1, and also illustrating a portion of the metering valve; Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in transverse vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2, C

with parts shown in elevation for the sake of illustration;

Figure 5,is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, showing how a potfan or combustion fan switch may be combined with the electro-magnet;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view taken partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, illustrating the way in which the loading spring is combined with the adjusting lever or shiftable fulcrum of the switch operating lever;

Figure 7 is aperspective view of the device illustrated in the preceding figures;

Figure 8 is a view in top plan of the terminal board and associated parts, the bellows or power element for actuating the fan switch operating mechanism being omitted to illustrate the failsafe switch combined therewith;

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of the part shown in Figure 8; 1

shown), and fiow-through each of these outlets is regulated by means of a tubular metering valve 14, which is fitted in a tubular valve guide l5, biased to open position by means of a spring l6, and guided by a radially projecting pin II which works in a vertical guide slot in the guide tube IS. The construction of this metering valve and also of its high fire stop I! and low fire stop 20, except in particulars which will be hereinafter described, is fully disclosed and claimed in Patent 2,244,161, to Roy W. Johnson for Interchangeable metering valve controls,"- issued June 3, 1941.

The upper end of. the metering valve H projects up through an opening provided in the cover 10' of the casing Ill and also through an opening provided therefor in the base plate 21 of the casing of the control mechanism. The base plate M is fastened in position on the cover of the main casing and has integral with its ends uprights l5,

A control cover 22 'of shell-like form coacts with the base plate 2| and the uprights I5 to parts. Screws or other suitable fastening devices are employed for securing the base plate in position and releasably securing the control casing cover to the baseplate.

A pair of transversely spaced vertical bracket plates 25 are integrally formed with the base plate 2| adjacent one end thereof. A valve operating lever", which may be constituted of sheet metal, is formed at one spaced and apertured ears complete the enclosure of the control end with a pair of. 21 (see Figures 1, 3,

' and 4) A pivot pin 22 supp0rted on the bracket plates 22 extends through the apertures of the ears 21 to-pivotally suport or fulcrum the valve operating lever at one end thereof. A spacing sleeve 22 is interposed between one of the ears 21' and one of the bracket plates 22 to maintain the operating lever 22 in its proper position transversely, although this arrangement leaves it free to swing about its fulcrum pin 22. The end of the valve operating lever 22 opposite its fulcrum 22'overlies the upper endof the metering valve I2, and also overlies the low fire stop 22, so that when thelever 22 is allowed to swing downwardly it presses'against a boss I2 formed on the upper end of the metering valve and so causes the metering valve to shift to low or pilot fire position against the action of its spring I2. When i the lever 22 has shifted the valve I2 to low fire position, the lever comes .into engagement with the low fire stop 22, and any further downward movement of the lever is prevented. A torsion coil spring 2| encircles aportion of the pin 22 between the ears 21 of the valve 22', and has one end 22 bearing down on the valve operating lever and its other end 22 abutting thebase plate 2| so that the tension of the spring 2| tends to swing the end of the valve operating leveren- -gageable with the metering valve I2 downwardly.

The torsion spring 2| is stronger than the valve spring I2 so that when the torsion spring 2| is free to act it overcomes the efi'ect of the spring I2. In order to provide for the lifting of the valveoperating lever 22, and have the metering valve I2 open under the influence of its spring I2, an electro-magnet, designated generally at 22, is provided, and is operatively connected to the valve operating lever 22 in the manner which I will be hereinafter fully described.

which a stud" fixed to the armature 22 extends. A coil spring 22 encircles the portion of the stud below the finger-piece II, and has its upper end bearing against the underside of the finger II and its lower end abutting a snap-ring 22' engaged in an annular groove in the lower end of the stud. This construction normally constrains the finger 2| to swing with the armaturev 22 but allows a limited relative movement between these parts, the spring 22 flexing for this purpose. Disengagement or derangement of the connection between the spring finger and the armature is further provided against by forming the blade carrying the spring finger II with it, and the finger 2| acting through its extension 21 will press upwardly on the angular extension 22 of the valve operating lever 22, thereby swinging the lever upwardly and allowing the metering valve I2 to open under the influence of its spring I2.

The energization and de-energization of the coil 22 of theelectro-magnet 22 is controlled by room thermostat illustrated diagrammatically and designated generally at 22 in Figures 12 and 13. As shown in these figures, the blade 2| or bi-metallic element of the room thermostat 22 is connected by wire 22 to binding posts numbered I on the terminal board 22. The red con- A terminal board 22 of Bakelite, or other insulating material, and of generally plate-like form. is supported within the control casing on the bracket plates 22 and on vertical posts 21 provided therefor, Screws 22 secure one end of the terminal board in position on the-posts. The opposite end of the terminal board hasa depending lug-like and integral extension 22, which rests on the flange 22 of a bellows or power element 2|. This bellows or power element and its function will be later described, but is referred to at this point because of the interpositioning 52 of its flange between the underside of ,the lug 22 of the terminal board 22 and the top of the bracket plates 22. Screws 2| pass through openings provided in the terminal board in the ,lug22 andinthefiange22,andthreadinto sockets in the bracket plates 22 to fasten the terminal board, and alsothepower element or bellows 2l|,inposition. I

The electro-magnet 22 has a U-shaped frame 22 which extends about the windings 22 of the magnet. A screw and washer 21. fasten this frame and the windings to the terminal board. The electro-magnet 22 also includes a swingable armature 22 of L-shape interconnected with one of the legs of the frame 22 by a blade or leaf spring 22, which has its end portions semred by rivets or eyelets to the leg of the frame 22 and to a leg of the armature 22, respectively. This permits a limited swinging movement of the armature, and also provides a means in bias the armature 22 to swing away from the pole face on the core of the windings. A spring finger 2| is provided at one end with a boss 22 which bears against the underside of the armature 22; Centrally it is provided with an opening through .22, binding post I, wire tact 22 of the room thermostat is connected by wire 22 to binding post 2 of the terminal board. The low voltage circuits of the control device are energized from the line through a step-down transformer shown diagrammatically at 22, one of the terminals of the secondary coil of the step-down transformer 22 being connected by wire 22 to the binding post I of the terminal board. The other terminal of the secondary coil of the transformer "is connected by wire 21 to the binding post 2 of the terminal board. From this binding post 22 a wire or conductor 22 leads to one of the contacts 22 of the fail-safe switch designated'generally at I2. The details of this fail-safe switch will be hereinafter more fully described, but-for present purposes it is sufficient to understand that it includes the contact 22 and also a cooperable contact 1| which is connected by means of the wire 12 to one terminal of the winding 22 of the electro-magnet22. The other terminals of this winding 22 are connected by means of a wire "to binding post 2 of the terminal board.

with this construction, when the thermostat calls for heat, its blade is in contact with the red contact 22 and current will flow from the secondary of the step-down transformer through wire 22, through the blade 2|, through red contact 22, wire 22, binding post 2, wire I2, the winding 22 of electro-magnet 22, wire I2, contacts II and 22 of the fail-safe switch, wire 22, binding post 2, and wire 21, back to the secondary of the transformer. This energizes the electro-magnet and allows the metering valve to move to high fire position. Consequently, generation of heat in the furnace is accelerated so that the temperature in the bonnet of the furnace gradually rises. After it has risen to a predetermined amount, the present invention proposes to turn on automatically a socalled bonnet fan motor, whereby a fan or blower will be driven and caused tocirculate the heated air from the bonnet of the furnace through the circulating elements or ducts of the system.

Continuing to refer to Figures 12 and 13, the bonnet fan motor is diagrammatically illustrated at 18. One terminal of the motor is connected directly to one side of the source of current, as for example by means of a wire I8 leading from a motor terminal to binding post I on ,the terminal board 88. Binding post I is connected directly by means of wire I! to one side of the 110 volt line. The other terminal of the bonnet fan motor is connected by wire 18 to binding post 8 on the terminal board. Binding post 8 is connected by means of a wire 18 to one of the electrodes of a mercury switch 88. The other electrode of this switch is connected by means of a wire 8| to binding post Son the terminal board 88. Binding postl is connected by means of wire 82 to the opposite side of the 110 volt line. With this construction, when the mercury switch 88 is tilted to cause its body of mercury to bridge its electrodes, and the'switch is closed, the fan motor 18 will be connected across the 110 volt line, and the motor will be driven. When the swi ch 88 isreversely tilted, and the conductive path between its electrodes is broken, then the circuit through the motor 19 will be broken and the motor will stop.

The present invention provides means regulated in its action by the temperature in the bonnet of the furnace for controlling the position of the mercury switch 88.

The switch 88 is supported intermediate its ends in a spring clip 88, which is riveted to one end of a short rock arm 88 (see Figures 9 to 11, and 16.) Intermediate its ends the rock arm 88 is mounted on a pivot pin 88 which is rotatably supported in a sleeve-like bearing 88' provided therefor, and which may be formed or molded integral with the underside of the terminal board. A portion 84' of the rock arm 88 projects on the opposite side of its pivot from the clip 88, and is adapted to have driving connection with a switch operating lever 88. In the practical construction illustrated, this driving connection between'the lever 88 and the portion 84' of rock arm 84 of the mercury switch 88 is had by bending or forming from one end of the switch lever 88 and angular finger 81 shaped as best shown in Figures 15 and 16, the finger extending over and being engageable with the cut-oil temperature of the bonnet fan motor, provision is made to adjust the supporting lever 88 about its fulcrum 82. Ana consequence,.the

fulcrum 9| of the switch operating lever is shifted, and this varies the cut-ofl temperature since it changes the point to which the switch 88 must be tilted to effect operation. In the construction proposed to accomplish this purpose a screw 98 is provided and is threadedly interconnected with a threaded bearing provided therefor in the terminal board. The upper end of the screw is provided with a cross slot 98 to facilitate its turning by a screw driver or the like. The

portion 88' of'the rock arm 88. A screw 88 is threadedly connected withthe portion of the and such part of the angular finger. A slotted spring clip 88' is riveted to the lever 88, and is frictionally engaged with the screw 88 to releasably secure the screw in any of 1% various adjustments.

The lever 88 is mounted on a shiftable fulcrum which in this instance takes the form of an adjusting or supporting lever 98. One'end of the switch lever 88 is pivotally mounted or fulcrumed upon the lever 98, as indicated at 9|. The lever 98 in turn is pivotally supported or fulcrumed on the bracket plates 25 by means of a pivot or fulcrum 'pin 82.

In order to provide for an adjustment of the 7g slotted'upper end of the screw 88 is accessible through an aperture in the top of the control cover 22 when the coverplate 22' thereof is removed. Proper adjustment of the screw 88 may be facilitated by providing a temperature scale on the top of the control cover 22 and around the margin of its aperture, A stud or pin 98 is fixedly secured to the lower end of the screw and extends down through an opening in the underlying end of the valve-supporting lever 88. Below the lever 88 the pin or stud is formed with a head 88. An extension strip 85 is secured to the underside of the supporting lever 98 and has its outer end notched and straddling the shank of a stop screw 88 adjustably threaded into the base plate 2|. Screw 88' limits the movement of lever 88 in one direction. A spring finger 81 may be provided between the head 88, and the underside of the valve-adjusting lever, to provide a protective cushion, desirable under some circumstances. To hold the supporting lever 88 down against the spring finger 91, and against the head of the pin or stud 85, a coil spring 98 is provided and has its lower end bearing against the portion of the lever 88 which er 98 a stop arm 89a is fixed to the screw and is I engageable with the opposite sides of the post 81 to limit the turning movement or angular movement of the screw 88 in either direction.

The valve-operating lever 88 is swung about its fulcrum pin 8| under. the control of a heat responsive power element, which in the present instance is the bellows 8| previously referred to. The bellows has a capillary tube I88 connected thereto and also connected to a bulb III, which -is disposed within the bonnet of the furnace.

The bellows 8|, capillary tube I88, and bulb |8| are charged with a volatile fiuid, which expands and contracts'in accordance with temperature changes, and, of course, expands or contracts the bellows. The expansion and contraction of the bellows is transmitted to the valve-operating lever 88 through a pointed motion transmission pin I82, which bears against a v-shaped seat I88 provided therefor on the switch-operating lever 88. A loading spring |88-is provided for the valve-operating lever 88 and opposes the action of the bellows, the lower end of the loading spring abutting against the base plate 2|, the upper end of the spring pressing upwardly against the lever 88. The valve-adjusting or supporting lever 88 has an opening through which the spring I88 loosely or freely extends.

with this construction, when the temperature in the bonnet has arisen to a predetermined value, the charge in the bulb |8| capillary tube Ill, and bellows II has expanded to such extent that the bellows'll, acting through the pointed motion transmission element I02, will, have rocked the .lever 86 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, to such extent as to tilt the mercury switch over to a position wherein its body of mercury will bridge its electrodes. This will complete the circuit through the bonnet fan motor 15, and the bonnet fan will start up and begin to circulate the air or heat circulating me-- dium out of the bonnet of the furnace and through the heat distributing system.

If, however, the temperature continues to rise in the bonnetof the furnace, the continued expansion of the charge inthe bellows 4i, bulb Ill, and tube w ill will further swing the lever ll in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, and if this action progresses far enough a spring H3 interposed between it and the switch screw I carried by a lateral extension of the lever l6, and overlying the valve operating lever 28, will eventually come into contact with the valve-operating lever, pressing the same downwardly to gradually move the metering valve H toward closed position. This first throttles the supply of oil to the burner, and if heat in the bonnet of the furnace continues to rise will eventually move the valve 'II to pilot or low fire position, and this independently of the room thermostat.

The action of the switch operatinglever-in tl'ius taking over the control of the metering valve is dampened or steadied by means of a dash pot-arrangement which may take the sim-' ple form of a plunger I" vertically movable in a cylindrical guideway III'I provided therefor on theterminal board. In the guideway and beneath the head of the plunger is 'a coil spring ill to binding post 8 'provided on the terminal I", the coil spring resisting downward movement of the plunger. The plunger extends down to a point below the front end of the lever l8,

and has a washer or head II! on, its lower end which underlies the adjacent portion of the lever It so as to be engaged thereby when the lever moves downwardly beyond the extent necessary to close the fan motor circuit. In other words,

continued downward movement of the lever 88,

which will eventually result in the lever OI tak-; ing over the control of the metering valve H, is resisted by the action of the spring ill and its plunger.

The fail-s'ie switch, previously referred to in connection with the diagram of Figures 12 and 13, is combined with the bellows or power element 4|. The contact ll of the switch is carried by an L-shaped spring metallic conducting member I, the long leg of which is fastened to the lug 38 of the terminal board it, and is also connected to one end of the wire I! leadingto the coil ll of the magnet. The contact 1!. overlies the contact I. The contact 0! is carried by an angular conducting member of spring metal, designated at III, which is also fastened to thelug 3! of the terminal board 38 and is connected bythe wire II to the binding post 3 of the terminal board. The spring carrier memhers I" and II! for the contacts ii and II, -respectively are angularly shaped, and so shaped in diiferent planes, the carrier I being L-.

shaped in horizontal plane, the carrier ill being angular in a vertical plane. The carrier "9 is so shaped and tensioned that it tends to disengage its contact Ii from the contact 09 in the lever 88. This allows the tongue H2 to follow it and permits the carrier as to swing the contact ll away v from the contact I. Since the position of the carrier m, and consequently of the contact 1|, depends to some extent-upon the ambient temperature, a bi-metallic strip III is also fixed to the lug and overlies and bears against the contact carrier ill so that as the position of the carrier I" and its contact changes, due to the 'eilect of ambient tempera responding change in the position ofthe contact carrier Ill and its contact due to the action of the strip I. In some installations it is desirable to supply air under the action of 'an' electric motor-driven fan to the combustion chamber or pot of the burner when the metering-valve is shifted to high flre position, and the present invention makes provision for this. 4

Referring now to Figure 12, the numeral Ill designates generally and diagrammatically a pot fan motor. One terminal of this motor is connectedby means of wire I it to the binding post 1 on the terminal board 38. and hence is connected directly to one side of the volt line. The other terminal of the motor is connected by wire board 38. A pot fan motor switch (see Figure 5 also), designated generally at 8, is provided, and has a tlxed contact H9 connected to the binding post I and protected by guard In. The movable contact of this switch is designated at III, and is supported on an insulating strip I22 carried by a bracket I23 riveted to the armature tact III is connected by flexible wire I24 to the binding post 5, and hence to the other side of the 110 volt line. as, shown in Figure 5, when the magnet 35 is 'de-energized, and the armature ll 0 swings away from the pole face thereof, the

switch H8 is opened ,and the pot fan m'otor'deenergized. However, when the electro-magnet II is energized, and its armature 40 is pulled upwardly to allow the metering valve to move to high ilre position, contacts Ill and II! are en- .gaged, and the pot fan motor circuit is closed.

In some installations it is desirable to utilize the control device, especially the bonnet fan, for circulating the cool air in the cellar or basement throughout the house in the summertime, the burner, of course, being completely shut off or extinguished at such times. To accomplish this p rpose, the room thermostat is adjusted to a setting below thatof the room temperature, and the switch lever I. is moved to and held in a position to tilt the mercury switch 8| in such a manner as to cause its body or globule of mercury to bridge the electrodes of the switch, thereby closing the bonnet fan motor circuit and e1- fec'ting a continuousoperatlon of the fan. The movement or the switch lever" to, and its main tenance in, the position Just described may be very conveniently and simply elected by the use of a spring biased plunger i2! wertically and slidably fitted in a bearing I26 which may be .ture changes on the bellows, there will be a corll of the electro-magnet II. The movable conof a cross pin I36 extending transversely through an opening in the upper portion of the plunger and engageable in notches I3I in the upper end of the bearing I26 when the plunger is retained in'its upper inoperative position. To allow the plunger to shift the lever 66 tothe position for summer operation, the plunger I25 is first pulled upwardly, then turned through ninety degrees to position the pin I36 in alinement with vertical slots I32 in the bearing I26, whereupon the plunger may be lowered until the pin I36 engages the bottoms of the slots I32.

The form of the invention shown in Figures 14 to 17, inclusive, is identical, except as will be 25 hereinafter pointed out, with the structure previously described. It employs the same metering valve I4 which'is biased in open position by a spring I6, and is controlled in its action by a valve-operating lever I33, which in all major respects is identical with the lever 26, and is merely changed to adapt it for actuation by two bimetallic elements having electric heating 'elements combined therewith rather than by an electric magnet. The structure providing for controlling the operation of the bonnet fan motor, and the interlocking of this control with the control .of the metering valve, is identical with that previously described, so that the-foregoing description applies to this form of invention also.

As indicated, the electric magnet 35 is omitted, and in its place two b'i-metallic elements, one designated at I35 and the other designated at I36, are provided. The bimetallic element or thermostatic leaf I35 is fastened at one end to a .pad I31 formed integrally with one of the bracket plates 25, and it is held in position thereon by screws I38, which also serves to fasten in position a small U-shaped bracket I36. The bimetallic element or thermostatic leaf I36 is secured. to the upper horizontally disposed leg of this bracket I33. The electric'heating elements, designated at I46 and III, are mounted on the thermostatic leaves or bi-metallic elements I36 and I 36, mounting strips I42 and I43 being provided for this purpose. The electric heating elements are disposed on the underside of said mounting, strips so as to be closely adjacent their respective, bi-metallic elements, and in eflective heating interchanging relation therewith, but, of course, they areelectrically insulated from their bi-metallic elements.

The valve-operating lever I33 is fulcrumed or pivotally mounted on plates 26 .in exactly the same. way as the valve-operating lever 26 in the other forms of the invention, and the end of the lever remote from its fulcrum overlies the metering valve stem and low fire stop as before. Adjacent its free end the lever I33 -has integrally formed with one of .its edges an angular bracket I46, the horizontal portion of which is provided with an opening to the margin of which a short vertically disposed sleeve I46 is secured. A pin I41 is slidably fitted in the sleeve I46, and has a disc or plate I48 secured to its upper end and.75.:

engageable with the upper end of the sleeve I46 to limit the downward sliding movement of the pin I41. The pin I 41 projects downwardly below the bracket I45, and this downwardly projecting portion is surrounded by a coil spring I56, the upper end of the spring I56 abutting the under side of the'horizontal portion of the bracket, and the lower end thereof engaging a washer or collar I 5I which is appropriately fastened to the pin. The free end of the upper bi-metallic element or thermostatic leaf I36 is notched or bifurcated and straddles the sleeve I46, and underlies the plate I46 secured to the upper end of the pin I41. The parts are so constituted that when the electric heating element I H is de-energized the bi-metallic strip I36, :under the influence of its own inherent resiliency, will warp down against the horizontal portion of bracket I45, and will be spaced from the plate or disc I48,

as shown in Figure 14. However, when the electric heating element is energized, the bi-metallic element leaf I36 will flex upwardly until it engages the disc or plate I46, and elevates disc I 33,-due to the connection of the plate through the pin I41 and spring I56 with the bracket I of the lever.

The lower end of the pin I41 overlies the outer end of the lower thermostatic leaf or bimetaliic element I35, so that when its electric heating element I46 is de-e'nergiz'ed, and the leaf under the influence of its own inherent resiliency warps upwardly, it will engage the pin I 41 and lift it and the lever I33 up to an intermediate 35 iiring position. When the electric heating element- I46 is energized, the bi-metallic element I36 warps downwardly, moving the lever I33 to the pilot position. The motion of the valveoperating lever under the influence of the thero mostatic leaf I35 is limited by a stop screw I52,

the head of which overlies the outer end of the leaf I 35.

With this construction a three-position thermostat, shown at 66' in Figure 17, is employed.

this thermostat, and the circuit with which it is combined, are identical with the system shown in Figure12, save that the thermostat has a blue contact I65 as well as the red contact 63, and the blade 6|. The blue contact I is connected 5) by wire I66 with the terminal 4 of the terminal board 36. Terminal 4 is connected by wire I51 with the electric heating element I46. The opposite end of the heating element I46 is connected by wire I51 with the wire 12, which con- ,nects with the fail-safe switch and back to the 'other side of the secondary of the transformer. The electric magnet 35 is, as pointed out, eliminated, and in place of connecting its coil in the circuit, in the manner previously described, the

electric heating element I is hooked up in the circuit. As shown in Figure 17, this is accomplished by connecting one terminal of the heating element I with the terminal 2, and the other terminal thereof with wire 12.

In the middle position of the blade 6I both electric heating elements are de-energized and the metering valve is held in intermediate fire position. When the blade engages the blue contact I66, electric heating element I46 is energized,

IQ .and the metering valve moved from intermediate fire to pilot-position. If the blade 6| engages the red contact 63, then the electric heating element I is energized and the metering valve moved to full open or high fire position.

As previously indicated, the high and low fire or plate I46 and also the valve-operating lever stops per se form no part of the present invention as they are the subject matter of the application of -Roy W. Johnson for Interchangeable metering valve control," Serial No. 215,336, filed June 23, 1938, but in this type of structure the adjustment of the high fire stop. provided for in the field, is facilitated by connecting an elongated stem m to the adjustable high fire stop sleeve and extending this stern up, through the top of the terminal board. A cross-slot III is provided in the upper end ofthe stem I, A

: screw driver or the like may be employed with the slotted upper end of the stem I to eifect adjustment of the high fire stop.

Similarly, the, adjustment of the adjusting screw, which flexes the strip of the low fire stop, is facilitated by connecting to this screw an operating, wire I", which extends up throughan opening in the terminal board, and is accessible from thereabove.

while we have shown and described several constructions in which my. invention may be advantageously embodied, it is to beunderstood tion of said switch lever overlying the valve operating lever, and a screw mounted on said portion of. the switch the valve operating lever to cause the same'to move the metering valve towardclosed position, said switch-operating lever having sufilcient movement to first operate said switch and thereafter to effect operation of said valve-operating lever upon a continued rise of temperature of the heat circulating medium, in combination with a dash pot cooperable with the switch operating lever to dampen its movement as its screw approaches engagement with the valve operating lever.

, 3. A control for a furnace having a burner and an electric motor-driven fan for effecting forced circulation of the circulating medium heated by the furnace and comprising,.a valve for controlling thefiow of fuel to the chamber, merino-- statically. controlled means regulating the openins thermostat, and an electro-responsive motor that these structures have been selected for purposesof illustrations and example, and that 55.-

various changes in the size, shape, and arrangemerit of partsmay-be resorted to, as will be understood to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim: 4

l. A control for a furnace having a burner and an electric motor-driven fan for effecting forced circulation of the medium heated by the furnaceand comprising a metering valve biased 36' to open position and regulating the flow of fuel to the burner, a valveoperating lever engageable with the valve to move it toward closed position when swung in one direction and to allow it to open when swung in the opposite direction, an electrically energized power element for actuating said lever, a room thermostat for controlling the energization of said power element, a switch for regulating the operation of said electric motor-driven fan, a switch operating lever, thermostatlc means responsive to the temperature of the heat circulating medium in the furnace for actuating said switch lever, a portion of said switch lever overlying the valve operating lever,

and a screw mounted on said portion of the switch lever and engageable with the valve oper-. ating lever to cause the same to move the metering valve toward closed position, said switchoperating lever having suflicient movement to first operate said switch and thereafter to effect operation of said valve-operating lever upon a continued rise of temperature of the heat circulating medium. v

2. A control for a furnace having a burner and an electric motor-driven fan for eiiecting w forced circulation of the medium heated by the furnace and comprising a metering valve biased to open position and regulating the fiow of fuel ,to the burner, a valve operating lever engageable with the' valve to moveit toward closed position when swung in one direction and to allow it to open when swung in the opposite direction, an electrically energized power element for actuating said lever, a room thermostat forcona'switch for regulating the operation of said electric motor-driven fan. a switch. operating 1 lever, thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of-the heat circulating medium in' the furnace forv actuating said switchlever, a porlows,

means energized under the control of the-room thermostat, thermo-responsive means subjected to the, temperature of the heat circulating pie-- mum and having a power element including a bellows, a switch for regulating the operation of said electric motor-driven fan, a switch operating lever between controlled by the bellows for maintaining said contacts engaged except upon collapse of the belof the electro-responsive motor means.

4. A control for a furnace having a burner and comprising a single metering valve biased to open position and regulating the flow of fuel to the burne a valve operating lever-overlieing .the

valve and engageable therewith to move the i valvetoward closed position'when swung in one trolling the energization of said power element, 7

direction and to. allow the valve to open when swung in an opposite direction, two thermostatic leaves mounted one above theother in proximity to said valve operating lever, an electric heating element associated with each thermostatic leaf,

connectingmeans between one of said thermostatic leaves and said lever, the other of said thermostatic leaves bein engageable with said yieldable connecting means.

5. A control for afurnace having a burner and arr-electric motor-driven fan for effecting forced circulation of the medium heated by the burner and comprising a metering valve functioning to regulate the fiow of fuel to the burner, room thermostat controlled means cooperating with said metering'valve to normally control its 'position, a switch for regulating the operation of the electric motor-driven fan,a switch operating lever connected to the switch, an adjusting lever on which said switch operating lever is fulcrumed,

'. manually adjustable means for shifting said adjustable lever, and thermostatic means responsive "to the temperature of the heat circulating medium in the furnace and cooperable with said switch operating lever to cause it to move the switch to closed position, said switch-operating lever having sumcient movement to first operate said switch and thereafter to'eifect operation of said metering valve upon continued rise of temperature of the heat circulating medium.

8. A control for a furnace having a burner and an electric motor-driven fan for effecting forced lever and engageable with v and closing of the valve and including a room the bellows and said switch, and a Q fail-safe switch including a movable contact biased to disengage a'fixed contact, and means the contacts of said fail-safe switch being connected in controlling relation in the circuit l a room thermostat for selectively energizing said heating elements, yieldable .ingvai on which said switch operating lever is fulcrumed,

manually adjustable means for shifting said adjustable lever, thermostatic means responsive to the emperature of the heat circulating medium in the furnace and cooperable with said switch operating lever to cause it to move the switch to closed position upon predetermined rise of temperature of the heat circulating medium, and

means cperatively inter-relating said switch oper- Y ating lever and said room thermostat controlled means whereby upon continued rise of temperature of the heat circulating medium in the furnace above that required to set the fan in operation the thermostatic means will function to move the metering valve toward closed position independently of the requirements of said room thermostat controlled means.

7. A control for a furnace having a burner, power means for circulating the heat transfer medium, and means for producing a forced draft for the. burner, said control comprising a metering valve for regulating the flow of fuel to the burner, electro-responsive motor means for operating said valve operable under control of a room thermostat, a switch for controlling the operation of said power means, thermo-responsive means subject to the heat of said transfer medium for operating said switch, lost motion connection means between said thermo-responsive means and said electro-responsive motor means whereby said thermo-responsive means causes said valve to be closed after operating said switch upon a continued rise in the temperature ofsaid me.- dium, and a second switch for said draft-producing means, said second switch being operated by said electro-responsive motor means after it opens said metering valve.

8. A control for a fumace having a burner,

power means forcirculating the heat transfer medium, and means for producing a forced draft for the burner, said control comprising a meterve for regulating the flow of fuel to the burner, electro-responsive motor means for operating said valve operable under control of a. room thermostat, a switch for controlling the operationof ,said power means, thermo-responsive means subject to the heat of..s'aid transfer medium for operating said switch, lost motion connection means between said thermo-responsive means and said electro-responsive motor means whereby said thermo-responsive means causes said valve to be closed after operating said switch upon a continued rise in the temperature of said medium, a second switch for said draft-producing means, said second switch being operated by said electro-responsive motor means after it opens said metering valve, and a third switch for rendering said electro-responsive motor means inoperative to open said valve, said third switch being operated by failure in said thermo-responsive means.

9. A control for a furnace having a burner and comprising a single metering valve biased to open position and regulating the flow of fuel to the burner, a valve-operating lever overlying the valve engageable therewith to move the valve toward closed position when swung in one direction and to allow the valve to open when swung in an opposite direction, two thermostatic leaves, an electric heating element associated with each thermostatic leaf, a room thermostat for selec' tively energizing said electric elements, a yieldable abutment carried by said lever, one of said leaves when de-energized being engageable with said abutment to move said lever a predetermined distance to partially open said valve, and

a-stop to limit the movement of said lest, the

other of said leaves when energized being thereafter engageable with said abutment to move said lever a further distance to completely open said valve.

10. A- control for oil burners comprising a metering-valve biased to open position and regulating the flow of oil to the burner, a high ilre stop cooperable with the valve to limit the opening movement thereof, an operating lever overlying and engageable with the valve to move thevalve toward closed position when swung in one direction and to allow the valve -to open when swung in the other direction, a low flre stop underlying the lever and limiting the extent to which the lever may swing to close the valve, thermostatically controlled means cooperable with the lever to move the same to'a position wherein the valve is disposed intermediate high and low fire positions,- and thermostatically controlled means also cooperable with the lever for moving it to a'position where the valve is fully open.

ROY W, JOHNSON. IDURDES V. McCARTY. 

